Protective structure for a modular disc cutterbar

ABSTRACT

A modular disc cutterbar utilizes self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternating spacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resist bending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a length to span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of a modular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed drive apparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing through each interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drive mechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep the remote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module is mounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting is simplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cutting knife improves the transfer of severed crop material. An oil slinger mounted on the drive assembly within the cutter module draws oil from the reservoir past the adjacent bearing and disperses the oil onto the corresponding seal member for lubrication and cooling thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a machine for severing standingcrops from the ground to initiate a harvesting process and, moreparticularly, to a rotary disc cutterbar having a preselected number oftransversely oriented, rotatable discs having knives mounted thereon tosever standing crop by an impact action upon rotation of the discs.

Disc cutterbars have been utilized in agricultural harvesting implementsfor many years. Each disc cutterbar includes a plurality of transverselyspaced disc cutters driven for rotation about a generally vertical axis.Each disc cutter has two or three knives pivotally mounted on theperiphery thereof to sever standing crop from the ground through animpact action. For background information on the structure and operationof disc cutterbars, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,262, issuedto E. E. Koch and F. F. Voler, the descriptive portions thereof beingincorporated herein by reference.

The construction of disc cutterbars has evolved over the years to theconfiguration of having a modular construction with cutter modules andspacer modules, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,019, issued to L.J. Pingry, the descriptive portions of which are incorporated herein byreference. In some instances, the cutter modules and the spacer moduleswere integrally formed into one unit such as shown and described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,947,629, issued to R. Ermacora and H. Neuerburg.

It has been found that the specific use of the disc cutterbar apparatus,e.g. whether used as part of a disc mower, such as shown and depicted inU.S. Pat. No. 4,955,187, issued to C. van der Lely, which is typicallysupported at one end, or as part of a disc mower-conditioner whichusually provides support to the cutterbar at both opposing ends thereof,carries with that use a different set of design parameters than othermachines in which the cutterbar is utilized.

For example, the load imparted stresses relative to the spacer segmentsor modules on a disc mower cutterbar are different than thecorresponding stresses on a disc mower-conditioner cutterbar. Thetensile loads on the cutterbar are highest at the rear and center whenused in a disc mower-conditioner, but at the front and inboard tractorend of the cutterbar when utilized in a disc mower.

A modular disc cutterbar of the type shown in the aforementioned Pingrypatent is made up of segments comprising drive modules and spacermodules which can be joined at flange faces with retention mechanismslike threaded fasteners. The cutterbar spacer modules which are used tospace and support the drive modules need to be sized to carry thehighest loads. Because of the need to keep spacer modules with a uniformsize and configuration no matter where the location the spacer is usedalong the transverse length of the cutterbar, the same spacerconfiguration is used along the full length of the cutterbar, resultingin some spacer modules being lightly loaded and constructed stronger andheavier than is structurally needed.

The weight of the completed disc mower assembly on a discmower-conditioner needs to be as light as possible to minimize therequired size of the cutterbar flotation springs and to reduce theinertia forces imposed on the cutterbar components when the cutterbarstrikes and slides over an obstacle at high ground speeds. The weight ofthe cutterbar when utilized in a disc mower configuration also needs tobe as light as possible to minimize the force and friction from theground to minimize the wear of the ground contacting skid shoes, andalso to minimize the damage to the crop which comes in contact with theskid shoes. A further consideration in keeping the weight of thecutterbar as light as possible is to reduce the loads imposed on theframe components when the disc mower is placed into a transport positionin which the total weight of the cutterbar is supported by the frame. Acorollary consideration is the desire to keep these frame components aslight as possible.

When the disc cutterbar is used in a disc mower configuration, thecutterbar is provided with detachable skid shoes to ride across theground and protect the structure of the cutterbar. In designing cutterand spacer modules to minimize weight of the cutterbar, means formounting the skid shoes to the cutter modules must be provided. Themounting of the skid shoes must permit a convenient mounting and removalof the skid shoe from the cutter module, while allowing the cuttermodule to have adequate surface area for heat dissipation, to have easyaccess to the oil level check plug and to the oil drain plug, and to bedesigned with an ample reservoir for oil therein.

The design of a cutter module that is clamped between opposing spacermodules requires a means by which a rock guard can be mounted on thecutterbar forwardly of each cutter module to protect the cutter modulefrom damage. The rock guard is cooperatively associated with the skidshoe to protect the cutter module from damage. Known rock guard designsare supported on a flange in front of the disc cutter and threadedfasteners are used to clamp the rock guard to the disc cutter unit. As aresult, the supporting flange has to be strong enough to support therock guard when contacting an obstacle, requiring that the flange eitherbe made large enough or of higher strength material to perform thisfunction.

The rapid rotation of the disc members on which the cutting knives aremounted effects a cutting action to crop material through shear impactof the cutting knife into the standing crop. The knives are pivotallymounted on the disc member and can retract from the normal outwardlyextended position during rotation of the disc member when striking anobstacle, such as a fence post or the like. Known disc member structurescarry knife stops to prevent the cutting knife from being able to rotate360 degrees about its pivotal connection. The provision of these knifestops increases the mass of the disc member being rotatably driven andis undesirable, yet necessary to restrict the movement of the cuttingknives. Placement of the knife stops on the disc member can cause thedisc member to be rotationally unbalanced, particularly if the stop isconstructed such that cut crop can build up on the stop.

The drive mechanism for powering the rotation of the individual disccutters typically includes a plurality of intermeshed spur gearsrotatably mounted within a casing to rotate adjacent disc members inopposite directions. Some drive mechanisms utilize a drive shaft thatextends transversely through the cutterbar casing. Corresponding bevelgears transfer rotational power from the drive shaft to the individualdisc members.

In the known disc cutterbar mechanisms, the utilization of lubricatingoil within the cutterbar casing lubricates the drive components;however, whenever the cutterbar is operating under sloped conditions,the lubricating oil would flow to the low point of the casing.Furthermore, the failure of any one of the gears comprising part of thedrive components within the casing typically resulted in a catastrophicfailure of the entire drive mechanism, as gear teeth sheared off of onegear would cause the failure of another gear set, and so on untilsubstantially all of the gears sets were damaged.

The bearings supporting the transverse drive shaft require adequatelubrication to maintain adequate life, as do the radial lip seals ateach end of the drive shaft components housed within the cutter modules.With the given design of the improved modular disc cutterbar, properre-circulation of the lubricating fluid within the sealed cutter moduleis needed to obtain proper lubrication of the bearings and seals.

Disc cutterbars are known for leaving streaks, or strips of uncut cropmaterial, at the location between the disc members that are divergingdue to the alternating direction of rotation of consecutive discmembers. It is believed that one cause for this crop streaking is themovement of cut crop off the disc cutterbar forwardly into the standingcrop. Previous attempts to move cut crop rearwardly have been expressedin the form of crop lifters mounted on the surface of the disc member,such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,390, issued to K. W. McLean, and inU.S. Pat. No. 4,567,716, issued to S. J. Makofka, P. J. Ehrhart and K.W. McLean. While such crop lifters have been shown to significantlyimprove the flow of cut crop rearwardly, the lifter structure increasethe weight of the disc member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to overcome the aforementioneddisadvantages of the prior art by providing improvements to known disccutterbar construction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a modular disccutterbar construction that utilizes self-contained cutter modulesclamped between separable spacer modules.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a drivemechanism for powering the rotation of transversely oriented discmembers wherein the self-contained cutter unit is provided with a sealeddrive apparatus.

It is a feature of this invention that rotational power is transmittedfrom one cutter module to the other by a transfer shaft interconnectingthe drive apparatus in the adjacent cutter modules and passing throughthe interstitial spacer module.

It is an advantage of this invention that the self-contained cuttermodule does not share lubrication oil with any other cutter module.

It is another advantage of this invention that the failure of any cuttermodule component will not contaminate any other cutter module.

It is another feature of this invention that the cutter modules areclamped between adjacent spacer modules by fasteners spanning betweenthe adjacent spacer modules.

It is another feature of this invention that the spacer modules areprovided with dowel pins that are received within opening in theadjacent cutter module for properly orienting the spacial relationshipbetween the adjacent cutter and spacer modules.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the modularconstruction of the disc cutterbar enables the individual replacement ofany damaged module without requiring the replacement of other parts ofthe disc cutterbar.

It is still another feature of this invention that the cutter and spacermodules are constructed to minimize weight.

It is yet another object of this invention to construct the driveapparatus in a symmetrical manner so that the drive gear can be disposedon either side of the driven gear for selectively rotating the discmember in opposite directions.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the cutter module canbe selectively configured in either a left or right hand version merelyby orienting the drive shaft with the drive gear on the correspondingside of the driven gear.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the drive apparatusis simplified by using a minimum amount of gearing.

It is still another feature of this invention that the drive shaft isformed in a modular configuration with a central shaft member engagedwith a hub at either end that also receives the transfer shaft.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mechanism withinthe rotatable drive apparatus in each cutter module to keep the remoteseals adequately lubricated during operation of the disc cutterbar.

It is a further feature of this invention that an oil slinger isprovided between the bearings rotatably supporting the drive shaft andthe remote seals to splash lubricating oil onto the remote seals.

It is still a further feature of this invention that the cutter moduleis configured with a relief groove to permit lubricating oil to flowpast the bearings to reach the oil slinger.

It is yet a further feature of this invention that the oil slinger isprovided with alternating angled blades to allow the slinger member tobe mounted on the drive shaft apparatus in either direction.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an effectiveand simplified manner for mounting the rock guard and skid shoes on thedisc cutterbar.

It is yet a further feature of this invention that the rock guard ismounted to the clamping arms of the spacer modules positioned onopposite sides of a cutter module by a single fastener in each clampingarm.

It is a further advantage of this invention that the rock guardpositioned in front of a cutter module for protection thereof is mountedto the spacer modules adjacent the cutter module.

It is yet a further advantage of this invention that any damage to therock guard and the mounting mechanism thereof will affect only thespacer modules and not the more complex and expensive cutter module.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the skid shoeunderlying each cutter module is mounted by a pair of fasteners engagedwith the cutter module.

It is yet a further advantage of this invention that the mounting of theskid shoe to the cutter module requires standard hardware withoutrequiring additional parts to support the skid shoe.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a modularcutterbar construction that provides reinforcement at high stress pointsin whatever configuration the cutterbar is utilized.

It is still a further feature of this invention that the cutterbar canbe provided with optional long fasteners spanning multiple cuttermodules to provide structure to resist bending loads induced into thecutterbar by the operation of the implement in which the cutterbar isutilized.

It is still a further advantage of this invention that the optional longfasteners can be located at any position along the length of thecutterbar so as to be located at the most advantageous position.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a cutter modulewith an integral knife stop.

It is still another feature of this invention that the cutter moduleknife stop prevents the cutting knife from pivoting completely aroundits pivotal mounting on the disc member without permitting the cuttingknife to wedge against the cutter module.

It is still another advantage of this invention that the placement ofthe knife stop into the structure of the cutter module eliminates theneed to have an undesirable stop formed on the disc member.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a crop mover onthe disc member to transfer crop material just severed by the action ofthe cutting knife away from the knife.

It is yet another feature of this invention that the crop mover ismounted on the disc member above the cutting knife in a position thatwill not interfere with the cutting action at the outward tip of thecutting knife.

It is yet another advantage of this invention that the crop moverprevents severed crop from falling forwardly into the standing cropmaterial and, thereby, restrict the ability of the knife to sever thecrop on the next rotation of the disc member.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an improvedmodular disc cutterbar which is durable in construction, inexpensive ofmanufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simpleand effective in use.

These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplishedaccording to the instant invention by providing a modular disc cutterbarutilizing self-contained cutter modules clamped between alternatingspacer modules by fasteners engaged with the spacer modules. To resistbending moments in the cutterbar, selected fasteners can have a lengthto span more than one cutter module. The drive mechanism is also of amodular construction including a symmetrical, reversible sealed driveapparatus within each cutter module and a transfer shaft passing througheach interstitial spacer module to interconnect each cutter module drivemechanism. The drive apparatus incorporates an oil slinger to keep theremote seals lubricated. The rock guard for each cutter module ismounted on the adjacent spacer modules, while the skid shoe mounting issimplified. A crop mover mounted on each disc member above the cuttingknife improves the transfer of severed crop material. An oil slingermounted on the drive assembly within the cutter module draws oil fromthe reservoir past the adjacent bearing and disperses the oil onto thecorresponding seal member for lubrication and cooling thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of this invention will be apparent upon consideration ofthe following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a disc mower mounted on the three-pointhitch of a tractor, the disc mower having a modular disc cutterbarincorporating the principles of the instant invention, the customaryprotective cover for the disc mower being shown in phantom as is therotational path of the individual disc members, the disc mower being oneof the configurations in which the modular disc cutterbar can beutilized;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a disc mower-conditioner utilizing amodular disc cutterbar incorporating the principles of the instantinvention, the conventional draft tongue and PTO shaft being broken off,a portion of the top panel of the disc mower-conditioner being brokenaway to better view the disc cutterbar, the disc mower-conditioner beinganother of the configurations in which the modular disc cutterbar can beutilized;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged top plan view of the modular disc cutterbar asutilized in the disc mower shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the modular disc cutter bar asutilized in the disc mower-conditioner shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan detail view of the rock guard used on the modulardisc cutterbar;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan detail view of the rock guard shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top plan detail view of the skid shoe used on the modulardisc cutterbar;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational detail view of the skid shoe shown in FIG.7;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a spacer module forming a part of themodular disc cutterbar shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer shaft isshown in its proper location;

FIG. 10 is side elevational view of the spacer module shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of the splined transfer shaft passing throughthe spacer module to interconnect adjacent cutter module drivemechanisms;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a cutter module forming a part of themodular disc cutterbar shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 13 is side elevational view of the cutter module shown in FIG. 12,the positions of the clamping fasteners being shown in phantom;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged top plan view of a central portion of theassembled modular disc cutterbar depicting two cutter modules and aninterstitial spacer module, portions of the spacer modules on theopposite sides of the cutter modules being broken away, the disc membersbeing removed for purposes of clarity;

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a single cutter module and portions of theattached spacer modules with the disc member thereof being displaced tothe right of the cutter module for purposes of clarity, the rotationalpath of the disc member being shown in phantom, as is the pivotalmovement of the knives mounted on the disc member with the interferencewith the cutter module housing casting to serve as a stop member alsobeing demonstrated in phantom;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the cutter module taken along lines16--16 of FIG. 15, the disc member being shown in its mounted positionon the cutter module, the use of the cutter module housing casting as astop member for the knives being shown in phantom;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the cutter module taken along lines17--17 of FIG. 16 to depict the relationship of the drive mechanismtherein, a reverse drive shaft assembly being shown in phantom below thecutter module to demonstrate the difference between the clockwise andcounterclockwise drive mechanism for the cutter modules, oil slingersbeing shown at the appropriate locations at the ends of the drive shaft;

FIG. 18 is an axial elevational view of the oil slinger mounted on thecutter module drive mechanism in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a transaxial elevational view of the oil slinger shown inFIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged elevational view of the modular drive shaftforming a part of the drive mechanism of the cutter module shown in FIG.17;

FIG. 20A is an exploded view of the modular drive shaft shown in FIG.20;

FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a disc member equipped with a crop movermounted above the cutting knife; and

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the crop mover andassociated cutting knife taken along lines 22--22 of FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings and, particularly, to FIGS. 1 and 2, themodular disc cutterbar incorporating the principles of the instantinvention can best be seen in the configurations in which the disccutterbar is conventionally utilized. Left and right references are usedas a matter of convenience and are determined by standing at the rear ofthe machine facing forwardly into the normal direction of travel.

In FIG. 1, the cutterbar 30 is mounted in a disc mower 10 having asupport frame 11 connected to the three-point hitch mechanism 3 of thetractor T on which the mower 10 is carried in a conventional manner. Thedisc mower 10 receives operative power from the conventional tractorpower take-off shaft (PTO) 5. The mower drive mechanism 15 receives therotational power from the PTO 5 and transfers the rotational power to agearbox 17, which in turn transfers the rotational power to thecutterbar drive mechanism 60. The disc mower 10 is customarily providedwith a protective cover (not shown) supported from the framework 19 soas to encapsulate the cutterbar 30 to control the flow of material fromthe operating cutterbar 30.

An alternative configuration for the modular disc cutterbar 30 isdepicted in FIG. 2 in the form of a disc mower-conditioner 20. The discmower-conditioner 20 is typically connected to the tractor by the drafttongue 22 in a manner to be towed behind the tractor between a transportposition directly behind the tractor and an operating position which isoffset outboard of the tractor. To accomplish this movement of themower-conditioner 20, the tongue 22 is pivotally connected to thewheeled frame 21 and is pivotally controlled by a hydraulic shiftcylinder 23 in a conventional manner. As with the disc mower 10, thedisc mower-conditioner 20 can receive operative power from a PTO shaft5.

As is known in the agricultural arts, the mower-conditioner 20 isoperative to sever standing crops from the field by the operation of thecutterbar 30 and convey the severed crops rearwardly into a conditioningmechanism 25, which can be formed in several different configurations,but is preferably in the form of a pair of counter-rotating intermeshingrubberized rolls 26 that receive the severed crop between the rolls 26in a known manner and crush the severed crop therebetween beforedischarging the crushed crop rearwardly into a pair of laterally opposedwindrow shields 28 that form the conditioned crop into a windrowdeposited on the ground for drying.

The modular cutterbar 30 in the mower-conditioner 20 is supported by theframe 21 at both the left and right remote ends of the cutterbar 30, asopposed to the mower 10 only supporting the cutterbar 30 at the leftend. As a result, bending forces are incurred in the cutterbar 30 atdifferent places. As will be described in greater detail below, themodular cutterbar 30 is designed to provide optional long fasteners 31cto be positioned at the locations of greatest bending forces to stiffenthe structure of the cutterbar 30 to withstand the bending forces. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize, the greatestbending forces in the disc mower 10 will be encountered at the leftfront part of the cutterbar 30 due to the lack of support for theoutboard end of the cutterbar 30. Conversely, the disc mower-conditionerwill encounter the greatest bending forces at the rear, center portionof the cutterbar 30, since both the left and right ends of the cutterbar30 are supported by the frame 21.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-14, it can be seen that the modular cutterbar30 is formed from alternating cutter modules 40 and spacer modules 32.Each cutter module 40, as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, includes ahollow cast housing 41 having a specific shape to retain a low profileand to establish an oil reservoir 69 therewithin. The housing 41supports a drive mechanism 60, described in greater detail below, torotate a disc hub 45 positioned for rotational movement above thehousing 41. As will also be described in greater detail below, thecutter modules 40 are arranged in a conventional orientation withconsecutive cutter modules 40 being driven in opposite directions, suchthat one disc hub 45 is rotated clockwise while the next disc hub 45 isrotated counterclockwise.

Each cutter module 40 is provided with an oil plug 42 that seals off anopening into the oil reservoir 69 through which lubricating oil can beintroduced into the reservoir 69. The oil plug 42 is provided with anintegral dip stick 43 that extends into the oil reservoir 69 so that theoil level within the reservoir 69 can be measured. Each cutter module 40is also provided with a drain plug 44 sealing off a correspondingopening at the bottom of the oil reservoir through which the lubricatingoil within the reservoir 69 can be selectively drained by gravity. Apressure relief valve 46 is also provided in the housing 41 to allow forany release of pressure within the reservoir 69 above a pre-determinedoperating level.

The cutter module housing 41 is also formed with a generally circularcollar 47 positioned immediately below the rotating disc hub 45. Thecollar 47 serves as a knife stop as will be described in greater detailbelow. The generally vertical sides of the housing 41 are formed withdowel recessions 48 to engage with dowel pins 39 formed on the spacermodule to secure the proper spacial relationship between the spacermodule 32 and the cutter module 40 during assembly into the cutterbar30. The housing 41 is further formed with a rearward mounting wing 49that provides structure rearward of the oil reservoir 69 for themounting of the skid shoes 55 as will also be described in greaterdetail below.

The spacer module 32 can best be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The spacermodule 32 is formed as a cast housing 33 having a transverse passageway34 extending therethrough to allow for the passage of the transfer shaft89 and to keep the weight of the spacer module 32 to a minimum. Thehousing 33 is formed with a pair of forwardly extending mounting arms 35and a corresponding pair of rearwardly extending mounting arms 37, eacharm 35, 37 being formed with a transverse opening 38 extendingtherethrough. Each of the forward mounting arms 35 is also formed with avertical hole 36 near the tip of the corresponding mounting arm 35 topermit the mounting of rock guards 50 for the cutter modules 40, as willbe described in greater detail below. Each of the opposing, generallyvertical sides of the spacer modules 32 are provided with a pair ofdowel pins 39 positioned for a corresponding engagement with the dowelrecessions 48 in the cutter modules 40.

As best seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 14, the cutterbar 30 is constructed byconnecting in alternating fashion cutter modules 40 and spacer modules32. Each of the cutter modules 40 is clamped between the adjacent spacermodules 32 by a pair of fasteners 31 extending through the openings 38in the mounting arms 35, 37 immediately next to the cutter module 40.Neither the forward or rearward fasteners 31a, 31b engage the cuttermodule 40, but pass forwardly and rearwardly, respectively, of thehousing 41 The rearward fastener 31b passes through a trough 49a formedin the rearward mounting wing, while the forward fastener 31a passesbeneath the collar 47. The interengagement of the dowel pins 39 and thedowel recessions 48 position each spacer module 32 properly with respectto the cutter module 40 and the clamping pressure is limited only to thetensile strength of the fasteners 31a, 31b.

To provide additional stiffness for the assembled cutterbar 30 in orderto withstand the maximum bending forces exerted on the cutterbar 30during operation thereof over the field, the normal fasteners 31a, 31b,which have a length that extends only between the opposing mounting arms35, 37 on each side a cutter module 40, can be replaced with an extralong fastener 31c that has a length that corresponds to at least twocutter modules 40. The extra long fastener 31c must be appropriatelythreaded so that a nut can be engaged thereon to effect the properclamping force on the intermediate mounting arm 35, 37. As depicted inFIGS. 3 and 4, the extra long fastener 31c is preferably positioned atthe left, front (inboard) end of the cutterbar 30 when the cutterbar 30is used in a cantilevered disc mower 10 configuration and at the rear,central part of the cutterbar 30 when the cutterbar 30 is used in a discmower-conditioner 20 configuration that supports the cutterbar 30 at theopposing ends thereof, as described above.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 and 14-16, it can be seen that each of thecutter modules 40 is provided with a forwardly positioned rock guard 50and a skid shoe 55 that passes beneath the cutter module 40 forengagement with the surface of the ground. The rock guard 50 has aconventional semi-circular configuration, but is mounted to the opposingforward mounting arms 35 of the spacer modules 32 adjacent to thecorresponding cutter module 40. The rock guard 50 is formed tocorrespond to the specific shape of the forward mounting arms 35 so thatwhen mounted thereon the rock guard 50 fits snugly against the forwardmounting arms 35.

A fastener 53 passes through appropriately positioned holes 52 withinthe rock guard 50 to engage the vertical holes 36 in the opposingmounting arms 35. Either the vertical holes 36 are preferably threadedfor engagement of the fasteners 53 or a nut secures the fastener 53. Thespecific shape of the rock guard 50 and the mounting arm 35 will allowthe fastener 53 to be countersunk so as to protect the fastener 53 fromwear. Since the rock guard 50 is not mounted on the cutter module 40,any damage related to the apparatus for mounting the rock guard 40 willaffect the spacer modules 32 and not necessarily the cutter module 40.One skilled in the art will recognize that damaged spacer modules 32would be less expensive to replace than the much more complex cuttermodules 40.

One skid shoe 55 is mounted beneath each cutter module 40 to protect thecutter module 40 from wear due to engagement with the surface of theground. Each skid shoe 55 is formed as a generally planar body portion56 with a mounting tab 58 welded thereto and projecting upwardly,generally perpendicularly to the body portion 56. The body portion 56 isalso formed with a forward end 57 that is bent upwardly to engage withthe corresponding rock guard 50. The skid shoes 55 are easy andconvenient to mount to and remove from the cutterbar 30. The forward end57 is simply tucked up into the gap between the cutter module 40 and therock guard 50 to rest against the rock guard 50. The mounting tab 58 isthen secured to the rearward mounting wing 49 of the cutter module 40 byfasteners 59 that thread into the corresponding threaded holes formed inthe mounting wing 49.

The body portion 56 of the skid shoe 55 extends rearwardly of mountingtab and, therefore, the cutter module 40 to provide optimum flotationand extended wear life of the skid shoe. The utilization of the longskid shoe requires a rigid support behind the cutter module so that theskid shoe does not bend upward at the rear due to ground forces. Withthis cutterbar design, the extended module support is integral with themodule housing and an additional bolt-on part is not required to supportthe skid shoe. The mid-section of the skid shoe is also supported fromthe cutter module. The lower surface of the cutter module housing 41 issloped downward to be generally parallel with the skid shoe 55 and incontact therewith. This support will prevent the skid shoe fromdeforming when it makes hard contact with an obstacle. As a result, thethickness of the skid shoe material can be made thinner than if nosupport were provided in the mid-section. This structure also allows fora lighter, yet efficient cutterbar structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-20A, the modular drive mechanism 60 can bestbe seen. The disc hub 45 is detachably splined onto a driven shaft 61having an integral driven gear 62 positioned within the oil reservoir69. A disc member 65 is detachably connected to the disc hub 45 byfasteners 66 so as to be rotatable therewith. The driven shaft 61 isrotatably supported by a bearing block 63 detachably mounted to thecutter module housing 41 by fasteners 64. The bearing block 63 seals anopening in the top of the housing 41 through which the driven gear canbe extracted from the oil reservoir 69.

The driven gear 62 is drivingly engaged with a drive gear 72 formingpart of a drive shaft assembly 70 extending transversely through thecutter module 40 beneath the driven gear 62. As best seen in FIGS. 17,20 and 20A, the drive shaft assembly 70 has a modular construction andis formed from a central shaft member 73 that is splined at eachopposing end thereof, a drive transfer hub 74 that is engaged with onesplined end of the shaft member 73 and a gear hub 75 which is splined onthe opposing splined end of the shaft member 73. The gear hub 75 isformed with the drive gear 72 being an integral part thereof.

As seen in FIG. 17, the direction of rotation of the disc member 65 iscontrolled by the orientation of the drive shaft assembly 70 when placedwithin the assembled cutter module 40, as the placement of the drivegear 72 on opposing sides of the driven gear 62 will effect oppositedirections of rotation of the disc member 65. Except for the protrusionof the drive gear 72, the drive shaft assembly 70 is substantiallysymmetrical to enable the drive shaft assembly 70 to be reversed toswitch the direction of rotation of the corresponding disc member 65 bysimply rotating the drive shaft assembly 180 degrees, as depicted inFIG. 17. The opposing bearings 76 are located in the same positionindependently of the orientation of the drive shaft assembly 70.

As best seen in FIGS. 17-19, the drive shaft assembly 70 is rotatablysupported within the oil reservoir 69 by a pair of opposing taperedroller bearings 76 positioned with the cone apex of the bearing beingoriented outwardly and associated seals 77 operable to seal the openingextending transversely through the cutter module housing 41 at theopposing sides thereof. The rotating tapered bearing rollers pump oilaway from the cone apex side of the bearing which causes all of thelubricating oil outside of the bearing to be pumped toward the innerportion of the cutter module reservoir 69. As a result of the high speedoperation, i.e. 5400 rpm, of the drive shaft component, the area outsideof the bearings, including the radial lip seal area, is withoutlubricating oil. Without an adequate supply of lubricating fluid, theheat generated from the frictional drag of the shaft surface against thelip of the seal 77 can raise the temperature in this portion of thecutter module 40 above 350degrees which is damaging to the sealmaterial.

In order to move lubricating oil into the seal area, a groove 79 is castinto the housing 41 within the cutter module 40 beneath the respectivebearings 76. The grooves 79 permit lubricating oil to flow from the oilreservoir 69, past the bearings 76 and into the area near the seals 77.The action of the rollers in the tapered bearing 76 pumps the oil backinto the oil reservoir 69 almost immediately. To assure an adequatedispersion of the oil to the seals 77, each end of the drive shaftassembly 70 is provided with an oil slinger 80.

The oil slinger 80 is positioned on the respective hub 74, 75 of thedrive shaft assembly 70 in close proximity to the corresponding seal 77.The oil slinger 80 is split and clamps into a groove 82, best seen inFIGS. 20 and 20A, machined into both the drive transfer hub 74 and thegear hub 75 in the same manner as a conventional external bearingretaining ring. The oil slinger 80 has a plurality of alternating angledblades 85 which pass through the oil as it flows from the groove 79. Theblades 85 pick up the oil and disperse the oil axially in the areaadjacent the seal lip so that the seal 77 does not operate without anadequate supply of lubricating oil.

The rotation of the oil slinger 80 also acts as a heat conductor bytransferring heat from the shaft assembly 70 to the lubricating oil. Theutilization of alternating angled blades 85 allows the oil slinger 80 tobe mounted on the drive shaft assembly 70 in either direction. Themachined groove 82 in the hubs 74, 75 in which the oil slinger 80 ispositioned, correctly locates the oil slinger 80 along the axis of thedrive shaft assembly 70 so that the assembly of the oil slinger 80 ontothe drive shaft assembly 70 does not require a gage.

The drive mechanism 60 in each cutter module 40 is coupled to the othercutter module drive assemblies 70 by a transfer shaft 89 that passesthrough the spacer module 32, as best depicted in FIGS. 9-11. Thetransfer shaft 89 is splined at each opposing end thereof to bedrivingly received within either of the hubs 74, 75 to transferrotational power thereto. In assembling a disc cutterbar 30, not onlydoes the cutter modules 40 need to be clamped between adjacent spacermodules 32 by the clamping fasteners 31, but the drive line must also beconnected by coupling the transfer shafts 89 between the exposed hubs74, 75 in the adjacent cutter modules 40. One skilled in the art willrealize that both of the hubs 74, 75 are splined through an interiorpassageway so as to be able to receive both the shaft member 73 in oneside thereof and the transfer shaft 89 in the other side thereof.

Referring now to the configurations of utilization of the cutterbar 30as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the drive mechanism 60in a disc mower 10 receives rotational power from a gearbox 17 that issupported adjacent the inboardmost cutter module 40. Accordingly, thedrive assembly 70 is connected directly to the output shaft (not shown)of the gearbox 17. The transfer of rotational power to the remainingcutter modules 40 proceeds as described above.

In the disc mower-conditioner 20 configuration, the rotational power isdelivered to the first cutter module 40a by a power input shaft 29 thatdirectly drives the first disc member 65 from above. Rotational power isthen transferred to the drive assembly 70 from the driven gear 62 to thedrive gear 72 and then transferred to the remainder of the cuttermodules 40 as described above. If the cutterbar 30 is large, i.e. haseight or more cutter modules, it is preferable to duplicate the drivingof the last cutter module 40b as with the first cutter module 40a with apower input shaft 29 vertically descending into the disc member 65 fordirect driving thereof. In this instance, the transfer shaft 89 betweenthe two central cutter modules 40 is removed so that the respectivepower input shafts 29 are each operable to power half of the cuttermodules 40. Because of the necessity of maintaining proper timingbetween the two central cutter modules 40 for proper operation thereof,the timing of the two power input shafts 29 must be properly maintained.

As best seen in FIG. 15, each disc member 65 is somewhat oval in shapeand is provided with a cutting knife 67 pivotally mounted at theopposing ends of the major axis of the disc member by a bolt 68. Onceoperating at normal rotational speed of about 5400 revolutions perminute, the knives 67 are extended radially by centrifugal force.Occasionally, however, the knife 67 will strike a hard object, such as arock or tree stump, that will deflect the knife 67 rearwardly. It isdesirable that the knife 67 strike a stop member to prevent the knife 67from making a complete revolution about its mounting bolt 68 or toprevent the knife 67 from becoming jammed.

Rather than provide a knife stop on the disc member 65, which wouldincrease the mass of the disc member 65 being rotatably driven andpotentially cause the disc member 65 to be rotationally unbalanced,particularly if the stop is constructed such that cut crop can build upon the stop, the collar 47 serves as a knife stop. As demonstrated inFIG. 15, the knives 67 cannot make a complete revolution about itsmounting bolt 68 without impacting the collar 47.

An optional configuration of the disc member 65 is shown in FIGS. 21 and22. Pivotally supported on the disc members 65 immediately above thecutting knife 67 is a angled crop mover 90, mounted on the bolt 68 torotate with the knife 67 and being operable to transfer crop materialjust severed by the action of the cutting knife 67 away from the knife67. Specifically, the angled crop mover 90 prevents the severed cropfrom falling forwardly into the standing crop material and, thereby,restrict the ability of the knife 67 to sever the crop on the next pass.

The shape of the crop mover 90 is angled outwardly such that theradially outward tip 92 of the crop mover 90 has less horizontalcircumferential width than the radially inward portion 94. With thisparticular configuration, the crop mover will not interfere with thecutting action at the outward tip of the cutting knife 67. The cropmover 90 is also angled to have a vertically oriented portion 95 to actaggressively in the moving of severed crop away from the cutting knife67. The crop mover 90 must be mounted to swing freely about its pivotalmounting on the bolt 68 to prevent damage thereto upon impact with anobstacle, and, optionally have a protective surface (not shown) for themounting bolt 68. The crop mover 90 is specifically configured as to notinterfere with the action of the cutting edge of the knife 67.

It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps andarrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated toexplain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made bythose skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within theprinciples and scope of the invention. The foregoing descriptionillustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however,concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in otherembodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the inventionbroadly as well as in the specific form shown.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A disccutterbar comprising:a plurality of transversely spaced cutter modules,each said cutter module having a disc member rotatably supported thereonand carrying a cutting knife to sever standing crop material by impactaction upon rotation of said disc member; a spacer module separatingadjacent cutter modules, each said spacer module having a pair oftransversely spaced, forwardly extending mounting arms; front and rearfasteners corresponding to each said cutter module and being operable toclamp said corresponding said cutter module between the adjacent saidspacer modules; and a detachable rock guard corresponding to each saidcutter module and being supported on the one of said spacer mountingarms adjacent the corresponding said cutter module on one transverseside thereof and on the one of said forward mounting arms adjacent saidcorresponding cutter module on the opposing transverse side thereof suchthat said rock guard is positioned forwardly of the corresponding saidcutter module.
 2. The disc cutterbar of claim 1 wherein each saidmounting arm has a forward tip formed to match the shape of said rockguard to enhance the engagement therebetween and the support of the rockguard on the mounting arms, each said forward tip having a generallyvertical hole therein for receipt of a fastener fixing said rock guardto said mounting arm.
 3. The disc cutterbar of claim 2 wherein each saidhole is threaded to engage said fastener.
 4. The disc cutterbar of claim2 wherein said disc cutterbar further comprises a skid shoecorresponding to each respective said cutter module, said skid shoebeing supported at a forward end thereof on said rock guard andextending therefrom rearwardly beneath said cutter module for connectionof said skid shoe to the corresponding said cutter module.
 5. The disccutterbar of claim 4 wherein each said cutter module includes a rearwardmounting wing having openings therein to receive fasteners mounting thecorresponding said skid shoe thereto.
 6. The disc cutterbar of claim 5wherein each said skid shoe has a generally planar shape with a mountingtab projecting upwardly therefrom for engagement with said fasteners tofasten said skid shoe to the corresponding said cutter module, theforward end of each said skid shoe being bent upwardly for positioningbetween the corresponding said rock guard and the corresponding saidcutter module.
 7. In a disc cutterbar having a plurality of transverselyspaced cutter modules, each said cutter module having a disc memberrotatably supported thereon and carrying a cutting knife to severstanding crop material by impact action upon rotation of said discmember; a spacer module separating adjacent cutter modules, each saidspacer module having a pair of transversely spaced, forwardly extendingmounting arms; front and rear fasteners corresponding to each saidcutter module and being operable to clamp said corresponding said cuttermodule between the adjacent said spacer modules; and a rock guardcorresponding to each said cutter module to protect a forward portion ofsaid cutter module from damage from impact with foreign objects, theimprovement comprising:said rock guard being detachably supported on theone of said spacer mounting arms adjacent the corresponding said cuttermodule on one transverse side thereof and on the one of said forwardmounting arms adjacent said corresponding cutter module on the opposingtransverse side thereof such that said rock guard is positionedforwardly of the corresponding said cutter module, said rock guard beingpositioned forwardly of the corresponding said cutter module, butmounted on the adjacent said spacer modules.
 8. The disc cutterbar ofclaim 7 wherein said disc cutterbar further comprises:a skid shoecorresponding to each respective said cutter module, said skid shoebeing supported at a forward end thereof on said rock guard andextending therefrom rearwardly beneath said cutter module for connectionof said skid shoe to the corresponding said cutter module.
 9. The disccutterbar of claim 8 wherein each said skid shoe comprises:a generallyplanar body portion terminating in a forward end bent upwardly to passbetween the corresponding said rock guard and the corresponding saidcutter module; a mounting tab extending upwardly from said body portionfor connection thereof with the corresponding said cutter module; and arearward portion extending rearwardly of said mounting tab andprojecting rearwardly of the corresponding said cutter module.
 10. Thedisc cutterbar of claim 9 wherein each said cutter module includes arearward mounting wing having openings therein to receive fastenersmounting the corresponding said skid shoe thereto.
 11. The disccutterbar of claim 10 wherein each said mounting arm has a forward tipformed to match the shape of said rock guard to enhance the engagementtherebetween and the support of the rock guard on the mounting arms,each said forward tip having a generally vertical hole therein forreceipt of a fastener fixing said rock guard to said mounting arm.
 12. Adisc cutterbar comprising:a plurality of transversely spaced cuttermodules, each said cutter module having a disc member rotatablysupported thereon and carrying a cutting knife to sever standing cropmaterial by impact action upon rotation of said disc member; a spacermodule separating adjacent cutter modules, each said spacer modulehaving a pair of transversely spaced, forwardly extending mounting arms;front and rear fasteners corresponding to each said cutter module andbeing operable to clamp said corresponding said cutter module betweenthe adjacent said spacer modules; a detachable rock guard correspondingto each said cutter module and being supported on the one of said spacermounting arms adjacent the corresponding said cutter module on onetransverse side thereof and on the one of said forward mounting armsadjacent said corresponding cutter module on the opposing transverseside thereof such that said rock guard is positioned forwardly of thecorresponding said cutter module; and a skid shoe corresponding to eachrespective said cutter module, said skid shoe being supported at aforward end thereof on said rock guard and extending therefromrearwardly beneath said cutter module for connection of said skid shoeto the corresponding said cutter module.
 13. The disc cutterbar of claim12 wherein each said skid shoe comprises:a generally planar body portionterminating in a forward end bent upwardly to pass between thecorresponding said rock guard and the corresponding said cutter module;a mounting tab extending upwardly from said body portion for connectionthereof with the corresponding said cutter module; and a rearwardportion extending rearwardly of said mounting tab and projectingrearwardly of the corresponding said cutter module.